1. Why do you think there are so many bones in the cranium? Why do you think we are born with separate cranial bones that later fuse together as we grow and develop?
2. Review the vertebral column and individual vertebrae from Exercise 3. What similarities and differences do you notice between the three major types of vertebrae? Why might these similarities exist? Why might these differences exist? Humans do not have tails, so we do not have caudal vertebrae (the vertebrae that make up the tail). However, many other primates do have these vertebrae. Based on what you know about the other kinds of vertebrae, what would you expect caudal vertebrae to look like? Compare your estimation with images of caudal vertebrae in your classroom, online, or in books. How accurate was your estimation?
3. The ribs articulate to the sternum through lengths of costal cartilage. This means that much of the anterior side of the rib cage is cartilage. Why do you think it is important that so much of the rib cage is made of cartilage and not bone?
4. Review the upper limb from Exercise 5. Compare the shoulder joint and the elbow joint. What do you notice is similar? What do you notice is different? How do these similarities and differences relate to similarities and differences in the function and mobility of these joints?
5. Review the upper and lower limbs from Exercise 5. Consider the joints, the types of bones, and the overall layout of the bones. What do you notice is similar? What do you notice is different?